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News Dylan McNeil

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matt decat

matt decat

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http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/87206/default.aspx

HE'S GOT a trophy cabinet to rival that of potential top draft picks Tom Scully and Jack Trengove, but Murray Bushrangers captain Dylan McNeil knows he's fighting an uphill battle to be selected in next week's NAB AFL Draft.

McNeil, 18, enjoyed a stellar season in 2009 after missing out on draft selection last year, leading NSW/ACT to the division two title at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in June.

He was the only Ram to earn All-Australian selection and was also awarded the Hunter Harrison Medal for division two's best player across the championships.

But the 178cm, 75kg midfielder understands his long list of achievements, which also includes the Bushrangers' best and fairest award, won't make up for his lack of height in the eyes of some recruiters.

"I think I have to work harder [than other players] because of my size, but it's also got a bit to do with the way I play because I'm an in-and-under sort of player," McNeil told afl.com.au.

"Sometimes it does get a bit frustrating when guys play three or four good games and all the clubs want to draft them, but I've just got to keep plugging away and working hard."

McNeil was one of the youngest players invited to last year's NAB AFL Draft Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

He was interviewed by the Western Bulldogs and Essendon, but sat crestfallen at his computer after being overlooked on draft day.

Resilient, McNeil wrote the process off as a learning experience and set about improving his fitness to bolster his chances of being drafted this year.

He also tried to catch the eye of recruiters by making senior appearances for the Sydney Swans and Geelong reserves sides, where he played alongside AFL premiership players Leo Barry and Brad Ottens.

However, one of his most impressive performances came against Northern Territory in game three of the under-18 championships.

McNeil was cleaned up in the first half, but managed to convince NSW/ACT coach Danny Stevens to leave him on the ground.

"Dylan got physically bashed in one big hit, but instead of coming off he went to full-forward, kicked two goals and changed the game," Stevens said.

"He's the most motivated and determined kid I've ever had through the NSW/ACT program. I'm sure that if he doesn't make it via the national draft he'll get there to play AFL somehow."

True to form, the avid Carlton fan already has a plan in place if things don't go his way next week.

He understands he has a good chance of being claimed in December's rookie draft but is willing to leave behind his family in Albury to play in the VFL or SANFL next year and keep his AFL dream alive.

McNeil, who has been interviewed by Adelaide, Hawthorn, Sydney and St Kilda, is running every morning in preparation for a possible start to pre-season training later this month.

He said he had done everything in his power to get picked up by an AFL club this time around.

"At draft camp [Adelaide coach] Neil Craig told me to make sure I stayed fit, so I've been trying to do that," McNeil said.

"I'm confident I've played well enough to get drafted and I'll always be able to look back on this season and say I couldn't have done anything more."
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Has anybody seen him play...is he worth a rookie spot. the kid sounds like he has the determination to become an AFL footballer and is ready to do anything it takes to get onto a list. sound like he has a bit of heart after getting knocked out and still playing. plus he is a carlton supporter!

just on this article alone id be happy to pick him up...anybody think he is worth a spot?
 
Yes, I have seen him play live at the chamionships. Really noticed him in 2008 out at Casey. He just kept smashing himself into the centre clearances and extracting the ball. He has alot of guts and courage and is fearless.

Unfortnutaely he is likley to be a late or rookie pick due his size. Unlikley to be cosidered at Carlton due to the size of our midfield and similar type of players, eg Joseph.
 
Dont think that we can ever have too many hard nut mid's to be perfectly honest...

the majority of our premierships over the last 40 years we had a few hard at it mid's to extract the ball.

I reckon we might grab him with a rookie if he is available... Who knows... he might have a late final growth spurt that puts him up at 6' tall.
 

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David Teague and Glen Bowyer had loads of guts too...

In saying this, it's always great having die hard blues supporters playing for the Navy's. At least you know they will always put in 100%
 
[YOUTUBE]0yGFxHM8djQ[/YOUTUBE]

Had a bit of the ball in this, mostly extracting it from hitouts. took a nice garb at the very end!
 
Like the tenacity and pretty good in close but I'm not seeing anything there that would elevate him above Joseph, Browne or even Ellard in the pecking order
 
He may not be huge or really quick, but there is a lot to like about McNeil. He goes in where angels fear to tread and he often comes out with the ball. He uses his body quite well and has a very nice kick. He rarely misses now, although that wasn't the case that long ago. He saw that as a weakness and did something about it. [We have a few guys who could take note.] He is a good mark for his size, but doesn't tend to be the guy flying over the pack.

If he was available for the rookie draft, I'd take him without a 2nd thought.
 
I was surprised he didn't get a spot on the list last year,well at least a rookie. I never knew he was a Carlton supporter also.I definetly take him as a rookie especially our first.It's a myth that a small player can't play AFL not everyone is a Ruckmen.There are some players who have guts and desire to make it and i believe McNeil would be one of them.
 
RiteBak@Ya said:
Yes, I have seen him play live at the chamionships. Really noticed him in 2008 out at Casey. He just kept smashing himself into the centre clearances and extracting the ball. He has alot of guts and courage and is fearless.

Unfortnutaely he is likley to be a late or rookie pick due his size. Unlikley to be cosidered at Carlton due to the size of our midfield and similar type of players, eg Joseph.
Click to expand...
It's worth having in my opinion in case Joseph goes down you have a couple of guys like Mcneill and possibly Ellard.
 

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Sorry to crash your board but have been watching Dylan since under 12 representative level, (have a son in the same age group).
He is a very very good player and would be being touted as a high second round pick if he was a little bit taller and came from one of the Division 1 states.
He made All-Australian at schoolboy level, won a Mike Fitzpatrick scholarship and has been to draft camp the last two years. Won the Div 2 player this year and captained the Rams to the Div 2 title.
Is the complete midfielder, wins the hard ball inside and has improved his kicking to be a very good outside mid. Pushes forward to kick goals and stands his ground in marking situations when he has too.
Was a bit surprised he wasn't taken last year but I think he will go 3rd maybe 4th round this year. Is fanatical about making AFL (like plenty of others) but will do and has done whatever it takes.
Would be worthy of a spot on anyone's main list and if not picked up in ND will be snapped up in the rookie.
 
Just read that he is the same height as Lewis Jetta.

And apparently Jetta is supposed to go in the late first or early second rounds.

If he falls to our third pick, then we might nab him then or we could just wait for the rookie draft :D
 

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